Technical Specialist - Social Dialogue and access to justice, Riyadh

Grade: P4

Vacancy no.: BEY/DC/P/2025/10
Publication date: 09 July 2025
Application deadline (midnig ht local time): 23 July 2025

Job ID: 13119
Department: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Organization Unit: RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut
Location: Riyadh
Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract duration: Two years, starting 01/09/2025

Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.

In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date.

Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A two-years fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.

The following are eligible to apply:

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to View email address on uncareer.net.

Introduction

Over the last four decades Saudi Arabia has achieved important socio-economic development. In April 2016, the Kingdom launched the Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious long-term plan for sustainable development. In this context, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia (MHRSD) has requested ILO support in a number of key thematic areas related to labour market regulation and decent work promotion. Two subsequent phases of this ILO support have taken place, with the current phase 2 titled “Supporting Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in analysis, policy and capacity development” currently slated to end in June 2026.

Based on the successful collaboration, MHRSD has requested ILO to conduct a Decent Work Gap Assessment in early 2024 as the basis for Phase 3 of the Programme of Cooperation, entitled Addressing Decent Work Gaps, An ILO contribution to realise Vision 2030. This phase is to start in September 2025 for an initial duration of two years.

In the context of significant further labour market reforms and increasing Saudi international engagement with both major investments taking place in the country as well as major events to be organised in the coming decade, the phase 3 will focus on areas where further progress in labour market governance is required, including social dialogue and inclusive policy making, fair recruitment and labour mobility, rules and regulations regarding domestic workers, access to justice for workers, social protection, occupational safety and health and wage setting.

Under Phase 3, the ILO will set-up a team in Riyadh to deliver the programme, headed by a Senior Coordinator. In the team, the position of Technical Expert on Social Dialogue and Access to Justice will be leading on the engagement with the ILO Social Partners, the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Saudi National Committee and further stakeholders.

Reporting lines:

The position will be based in the ILO project office in Riyadh (being established) and report to the Senior Coordinator. The incumbent will benefit from technical oversight and support from ILO specialists in the Decent Work Team for Arab States and relevant ILO Headquarter departments and branches including ACTRAV, ACTEMP and LABGOV.

The Technical Specialist may also oversee the work of administrative and other support staff of the Project/Programme, national officers and any other international or local consultant hired.

Description of Duties

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in a relevant field.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least seven years of relevant experience in the management of development cooperation activities, focused around stakeholder engagement, social dialogue and access to justice. At least four years demonstrated expertise in an international position.

Working experience in an international organization such as the ILO or the broader UN, with sound knowledge and experience in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of technical assistance projects.

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures, including experience in managing large and complex development cooperation projects would be an advantage, as would be work experience in the context of Gulf countries.

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures including experience working with officials of ministries of labour and/or education would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of English, knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.

Competencies

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.

Conditions of employment

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for a written test and/or an interview.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.